Streams of former soldiers wearing civilian clothes were shown walking along a stretch of highway near Kifri, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Baghdad, away from the northern cities of Mosul and Kirkuk.

Some of the Iraqis were quoted as saying their commanders had taken away their identity papers in an attempt to prevent them from fleeing, according to the report monitored here.

US and Kurdish forces have entered Mosul and Kirkuk two oil-rich cities in northern Iraq. US officials had reported the Iraqi forces defending the cities had melted away following intensive US air strikes.

Iraq was believed to have more than 10 regular army divisions and a Republican Guard brigade in the north, but they were apparently among the least battle ready of the military.

SPACE.WIRE